This page is general health information, not medical advice. It cannot tell you whether you have an infection. A clinician can, and the testing options on this site are a good place to start.

Teens in San Antonio often ask the same things before getting tested: Who has to know? Who will see the results? What does it cost? This page answers those questions for both teens and parents, using Texas law and local clinic information.

Getting tested is a routine health step for anyone who is sexually active, whatever their gender or orientation. Asking about it is a sign of taking care of yourself.

Consent: Who Can Say Yes

Can minors get STD testing without parents in Texas?

Yes. Texas Family Code Sec. 32.003(a)(3) says a minor may consent to diagnosis and treatment of a reportable infectious, contagious or communicable disease. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) lists chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV as notifiable conditions, so this covers them.

Is there a minimum age for STD testing for minors in Texas?

The statute sets no minimum age. A minor of any age may consent under Sec. 32.003. Individual clinics and programs can have their own rules, so it helps to call ahead.

Does a parent or guardian have to sign anything?

Under Sec. 32.003, parent or guardian consent is not necessary for this care. A clinic may still ask a minor to fill out the same intake forms as any other patient.

Does this cover HIV testing too?

Yes. The DSHS HIV/STD Program publication "HIV and Texas Law" states that minors may consent to diagnosis and treatment of reportable diseases, including HIV. Free mailed home testing through the state program Test for Texas is open to anyone in Texas aged 13 or older, according to DSHS.

Can a minor consent to treatment, or only to testing?

The statute covers both diagnosis and treatment. A clinician decides which treatment is right for a given person, and bacterial STIs and trichomoniasis are curable with treatment from a clinician. HIV, herpes and HPV are not curable, but they are treatable or manageable.

Confidentiality: Who Can Find Out

Is STD testing confidential for teens?

Clinics treat testing as confidential health care, and a minor's consent under Texas law does not depend on a parent. There is one important exception to know about, covered in the next question.

Can a doctor tell my parents?

Possibly. Sec. 32.003(d) of the Texas Family Code says a physician, dentist or psychologist may tell a parent or guardian about treatment, with or without the minor's consent. The law permits this but does not require it. Because of that, no one should promise a teen that a provider will never tell a parent.

What can I do if I am worried about a parent being told?

Ask the clinician before the visit starts: "If I am tested, what would you share with my parent or guardian?" Clinic staff hear this question often. Their answer is the best guide to how that clinic handles it.

Do results get reported to the government?

Some positive results do. DSHS lists chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV as notifiable conditions in Texas, and clinicians and labs send case reports to public health. Reporting is part of how health departments track infections and make sure people get care.

Can a parent see my results on an insurance statement?

It depends on whose insurance pays and how the clinic bills. The sources reviewed for this page do not describe how any San Antonio clinic handles billing statements. Ask the clinic what would be mailed or shown online, and ask about free or low-cost options that do not involve insurance.

Cost and Getting In

Where can a teen get free or low-cost STD testing in San Antonio?

Several places offer free testing, and others use a sliding fee. You can compare them in our guide to where to get tested in San Antonio. The CDC also runs a locator at gettested.cdc.gov.

What does the Metro Health STI Walk-In Clinic offer?

The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (Metro Health) runs a walk-in clinic at 512 E. Highland, Suite 150, 78210, phone 210-207-8830. Its page lists a $15 office visit administrative fee, with other fees varying by service. Hours are Monday to Thursday 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (latest check-in 3 p.m.) and Friday 7:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (latest check-in 10:30 a.m.). Check-in may close early when the clinic is at capacity.

Do I need a photo ID?

At the Metro Health walk-in clinic, yes. Its page requires a photo ID and says it does not offer anonymous testing, so the visit is confidential but not anonymous. Many teens do not have a driver license, so call 210-207-8830 and ask what ID a minor can bring. The clinic serves residents of San Antonio and Bexar County and people with no other means of getting STI services.

Are there free options that do not charge a visit fee?

Yes, according to the clinics' own pages. The San Antonio AIDS Foundation, 818 E. Grayson Street, (210) 225-4715, lists free rapid HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia testing with no appointment needed. The Alamo Area Resource Center, 303 N. Frio, (210) 625-7200, lists free testing for HIV, hepatitis C, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia. Kind Clinic, 730 Isom Road, lists free walk-in HIV and STI testing. BEAT AIDS, 210.212.2266, lists free, confidential testing, but its page does not say which location tests, so call first.

What are the hours for the free clinics?

The San Antonio AIDS Foundation lists Monday 8:30 to 4:00, Tuesday 12:00 to 8:00, Wednesday and Thursday 8:30 to 4:00, Friday 9:00 to 1:00 and Saturday 11:00 to 3:00. The Alamo Area Resource Center lists walk-ins Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and until 8 p.m. on Wednesday. Kind Clinic's walk-in testing hours differ from its clinic hours and are not listed on its locations page, so call its support line at 833-937-5463.

Are there sliding-fee clinics?

Yes. CommuniCare Health Centers lists a sliding fee discount for self-pay patients with family income under 200% of federal poverty guidelines, and its Apollo Wellness Clinic phone is (726) 224-3438. CentroMed lists a sliding fee scale by income and family size and screening and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, phone 210-922-7000. Neither page says whether walk-ins are accepted.

Are there school-based or teen-specific STD clinics in San Antonio?

The Metro Health and clinic pages reviewed for this page do not list a school-based or teen-only STD testing program. Teens are welcome to ask any of the clinics above about visiting. A school nurse or counselor may also know of programs, though what they can keep private depends on their role, so ask them first.

Testing Basics for Teens

Who should get tested?

The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) recommend screening for sexually active people based on age, sex and risk, and the USPSTF recommends chlamydia and gonorrhea screening for sexually active women aged 24 and younger. A clinician can tell you which tests fit your situation. Anyone with questions about a past exposure can ask for testing.

How soon after sex can a test find an infection?

It depends on the infection and the test type. The CDC notes that tests can miss very recent infections, which is why clinicians sometimes suggest testing again later. Ask the clinician which timing applies to you.

What if a test is positive?

A clinician explains the result and what comes next. Bacterial STIs and trichomoniasis are curable with treatment prescribed by a clinician. HIV, herpes and HPV are treatable or manageable. Texas law lets a minor consent to this care.

What about partners?

CDC lists Texas as a state where clinicians can prescribe STD medication for partners of an established patient without examining the partner, under Texas Medical Board and pharmacy rules. This is called expedited partner therapy. Whether it applies depends on the infection and the clinician's judgment.

What if a teen is pregnant?

Texas Health and Safety Code Sec. 81.090 calls for a syphilis, HIV and hepatitis B test at the first prenatal visit, and a syphilis and HIV test in the third trimester. A woman may object to the HIV tests but not the syphilis tests. Metro Health's Healthy Beats Initiative advises syphilis testing at least three times during pregnancy.

For Parents

How can a parent support a teen who wants testing?

Stay calm, thank them for asking and help with practical things like rides and clinic hours. Teens who feel judged may skip care altogether. Testing is a normal part of staying healthy.

How common are STIs in Bexar County?

The DSHS Texas STD Surveillance Report 2022 counts 12,305 chlamydia cases and 5,983 gonorrhea cases in Bexar County, and a gonorrhea rate of 290.5 per 100,000 people. For comparison, DSHS puts the Texas gonorrhea rate at 207.0 per 100,000 for the same year. These are reported cases, so they reflect who was tested as well as who was infected.

Next Steps

Pick one clinic from the lists above and call to ask about hours, ID, cost and privacy. For more options, use the CDC locator at gettested.cdc.gov or the Metro Health sexual health page.

STD Testing for Teens and Minors in Texas: Consent and Confidentiality